Auto accidents do not just result in injuries that will heal over days, weeks or months. Sometimes the injuries that come as a result of an accident never truly go away. That one accident can cause you to live with a chronic condition that affects your life forever. Being diagnosed with a chronic condition as a result of your car accident could affect your settlement options depending on how you handle it and what type of injury is involved.
We have asked attorney, Alaina Sullivan, about what you should do. Here is what she had to say:
When you break your arm from a car accident or walk away with noticeable cuts and bruises, it is easy to identify an injury. You can point to your arm and say “I did not have this before my accident. I was in an accident. Now my arm is broken.” It is hard for an insurance company to argue with that evidence. However, that proof can be a little harder to show when the injury is not outwardly visible.
Permanent Muscle Damage
Most rear-end collisions result in hyperextension/hyper flexion injuries to your neck. This injury is commonly known as whiplash. Many people blow whiplash off by saying that it is not something severe. It may just be painful at the moment of the accident, but you may not feel the true implications of whiplash until months or years after your accident. The permanent muscle and nerve damage that can result can be serious if not permanent.
What Type of Chronic Condition Do You Have?
Your level of compensation could increase if you are diagnosed with a chronic condition as a result of your accident. The reason for this increase is that injury will likely permanently affect your quality of life in the future. Your injury may prevent you from holding a job, thus causing you to lose a source of income.
It may cause you to have to change jobs should your ability to perform what you did prior to the accident be no longer. A small settlement may be enough to compensate you for measurable damage, such as a hospital or doctor bill, but may only scratch the surface in compensating permanent injuries.
Always Go to the Hospital
First, be sure following the accident you go a hospital to get checked out. You may not feel like you have any significant injury, but if anything comes up later, you need to cover your bases by going to the doctor first. You need that baseline. Otherwise, the insurance company may dispute your being injured to begin with if you never sought medical attention.
That one visit will need to be followed up with additional visits, especially if you need pain management or physical therapy. Be sure that towards the end of your treatment you get a statement from your doctor as to whether he believes that you may experience recurring problems in life because of the injuries. Make sure this is noted in your record.
Know Your Statute of Limitations
Lastly, know your statute of limitations. The clock starts ticking as soon as the accident occurs. Most states have a two-year statute of limitations, meaning you have two years from the date of accident to file for a claim. Do not wait to be checked out, and take any discomfort or pain seriously.
Contact an Attorney Today
A licensed personal injury attorney will be able to evaluate your case and determine if you have a claim against the other party’s insurance company. For the best chance of receiving the compensation you need to pay for medical bills, auto body bills, and pain and suffering, you should speak with a personal injury attorney in your area today.
